De Silva turns down offer of playing in third Test

De Silva turns down offer of playing in third Test
Associated Press

JAN 6: Batsman Aravinda de Silva has told the cricket selectors that he cannot join the Sri Lankan team for the third Test against South Africa for lack of practice, a cricket board official said on Saturday.

Ajith Jayasekera, the team manager, has suggested De Silva's name as a replacement to all-rounder Upul Chandana, who fractured a finger during practice, said Anura Tennekoon, Chief executive officer of the Sri Lankan cricket board.

``But when the selectors asked Aravinda whether he was available, he indicated that he did not have enough preparation for the tour and, as a result, he felt he could not play," Tennekoon told Associated Press.

He said Chandana will be unable to play for at least six weeks.

Sri Lanka suffered a humiliating innings defeat at the hands of South Africa in the second Test after the first Test had ended in a draw. The third and final Test is scheduled to begin next Saturday.

Tennekoon said the selectors would meet on Sunday to decide Chandana's replacement.

De Silva could not be reached for comment.

The Daily Mirror, an independent daily, said De Silva was dropped from the team after he was named a suspect in the match-fixing scandal by India's federal investigators.

The Sri Lankan cricket authorities are investigating the accusation against De Silva.

Tennekoon, however, said the decision to exclude De Silva had nothing to do with the match-fixing allegation. ``He was left out because the selectors decided on some other player.''

``He hasn't been found guilty yet,'' Tennekoon said.